National Account Manager in Preston

National Account Manager in Preston

Preston Full-Time 39600 - 66000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Manage and grow national food manufacturing accounts while driving sales growth.
  • Company: Established UK fresh produce business with a focus on teamwork and professionalism.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, company car or allowance, hybrid working, and career development.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic role with exposure to senior stakeholders.
  • Qualifications: 5+ years in account management, preferably in fresh produce or FMCG.
  • Other info: Hybrid work model with travel to Preston and Leeds sites.

The predicted salary is between 39600 - 66000 £ per year.

Excellent Package & Benefits | North West / Hybrid

We’re working with a well-established, fast-moving UK fresh produce business supplying major national food manufacturing customers. They’re now looking to appoint a National Account Manager to take ownership of a significant portfolio and play a key role in driving profitable growth.

This is a hands-on, commercially serious role for someone who enjoys managing complexity, protecting relationships under pressure, and delivering results in a sector where things don’t always go to plan.

The role

  • Managing and growing a portfolio of national branded food manufacturing accounts (c. £20m+ turnover)
  • Acting as the primary commercial contact for your customers
  • Driving sales growth and margin, working cross-functionally with Operations, Technical, Finance and NPD
  • Building longer-term partnerships and securing sustainable commercial agreements
  • Handling issues calmly and effectively when supply, quality or timing challenges arise
  • Supporting NPD, pricing, tenders, forecasting and account planning
  • Identifying and developing new business opportunities aligned with the company’s growth strategy

The business operates from two sites – Preston and Leeds. You can be based at either location, with travel to the other site required at least once per week. Regular customer travel is part of the role, alongside a hybrid working model with up to two days per week from home.

What they’re looking for

  • Has at least 5 years’ experience in an Account Manager or National Account role
  • Comes from fresh produce, food manufacturing or FMCG
  • Is comfortable owning commercial relationships end-to-end
  • Has a relationship-first mindset, but understands margin, cost-to-serve and pricing discipline
  • Can make good decisions with incomplete information
  • Communicates clearly, stays calm under pressure, and follows things through
  • Is confident working cross-functionally and influencing without authority

A full UK driving licence is essential. Degree-level education is desirable but not critical if experience is strong.

Package & benefits

  • Salary: £55,000
  • Company car with private fuel, or £6,000 car allowance
  • Hybrid working (2 days per week from home)
  • A business that values professionalism, teamwork and doing things properly

Why this role?

  • A real commercial role, not a title-only account job
  • Exposure to senior stakeholders, customers and directors
  • Opportunity to make a visible impact in a growing, well-run operation

National Account Manager in Preston employer: Redfox Executive Selection Ltd

Join a dynamic and well-established fresh produce business that prioritises professionalism, teamwork, and personal growth. As a National Account Manager, you'll enjoy a competitive salary, hybrid working options, and the chance to make a significant impact within a supportive environment that values your expertise and fosters long-term partnerships. With opportunities for career advancement and exposure to senior stakeholders, this role is perfect for those looking to thrive in a fast-paced sector while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
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Contact Detail:

Redfox Executive Selection Ltd Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land National Account Manager in Preston

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the food manufacturing or FMCG sectors. Attend industry events, webinars, or even local meet-ups to get your name out there and make those valuable contacts.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its competitors. Understand their products and market position so you can discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. We want you to shine!

✨Tip Number 3

Showcase your relationship-building skills during interviews. Share specific examples of how you've managed complex accounts and navigated challenges. This will demonstrate your fit for the role and your ability to handle pressure.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.

We think you need these skills to ace National Account Manager in Preston

Account Management
Commercial Acumen
Sales Growth Strategy
Relationship Management
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Problem-Solving Skills
Negotiation Skills
Forecasting
New Business Development
Communication Skills
Calmness Under Pressure
Decision-Making
Understanding of Margin and Pricing Discipline
Driving Licence

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience mentioned in the job description. Highlight your achievements in managing accounts and driving sales growth, as this is what we’re really looking for!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re the perfect fit for the National Account Manager role. Share specific examples of how you've handled complex relationships and delivered results under pressure.

Showcase Your Relationship Skills: Since this role is all about building partnerships, make sure to emphasise your relationship-first mindset. Tell us about times when you’ve successfully navigated challenges with customers or stakeholders.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!

How to prepare for a job interview at Redfox Executive Selection Ltd

✨Know Your Numbers

As a National Account Manager, you'll be dealing with significant turnover figures. Brush up on your financial acumen and be ready to discuss how you've driven sales growth and managed margins in previous roles. Specific examples will show you understand the commercial side of things.

✨Showcase Relationship Management Skills

This role is all about building and maintaining relationships. Prepare to share stories that highlight your ability to handle complex situations calmly and effectively. Think of times when you’ve turned a challenging customer interaction into a positive outcome.

✨Cross-Functional Collaboration

You’ll need to work closely with various teams like Operations and Finance. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully collaborated across departments in the past. Highlight any specific projects where teamwork led to successful outcomes.

✨Stay Calm Under Pressure

The fresh produce sector can be unpredictable. Prepare for questions about how you handle stress and make decisions with incomplete information. Share examples that demonstrate your ability to stay composed and deliver results even when things don’t go to plan.

National Account Manager in Preston
Redfox Executive Selection Ltd
Location: Preston

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